J.J. Jones, WR, North Carolina
Size:
Height: 6’1” (v) | Weight: 204 lbs (v)
Accomplishments:
Four-star recruit
“J.J. Jones is a physically impressive wideout who utilizes his size well at a variety of depths.”
Strengths:
Size
Long strides
Strong hands
Football IQ (IDing defensive concepts)
Concerns:
Play strength
Explosiveness
Perimeter blocking
Separation
Film Analysis:
J.J. Jones is a physically impressive wideout who utilizes his size well at a variety of depths. His size pops off the screen but he’s not an overpowering athlete in any phase of his skill set. Aligned primarily on the perimeter, Jones isn’t explosive off the line but can quickly gain ground due to an extended gate. He’s excellent when plays break down to work back toward the quarterback (Pittsburgh). He has a high football IQ and understands leverage and defensive tendencies in certain situations.
With the ball on arrival, Jones does a nice job of sealing corners on his back, snatching passes out of the air with comfortability. Not a high-level contested-catch winner (4/9 in ‘23) but showcases the willingness to play a physical brand of football. Quick to flip his head around to locate the football when engaged. Dynamic creativity after the catch remains minimal but he has shown occasional nuance to make defenders miss to pick up extra yards.
Jones is a willing run blocker who establishes leverage in the run game quickly. Overall strength needs improvement, however, to relocate and drive smaller corners away from the line.
Concerns remain about Jones’ overall explosiveness and separation ability. His high hips and long legs make redirecting and foot turnover an elongated process at times. Burst and top-end speed are also average. He’s comfortable in identifying soft spots in zone but needs work as a separator against man. Longer, more experienced corners will often press Jones to force rapid movements off the line of scrimmage—a part of his game currently unrefined.
Overall, Jones has traits at his size that present an intriguing floor for success. Refinement is needed in the detailed nuances of his game, but he iss a wideout whose ability to produce at all three depths is a positive.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific Contributor
Written by: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Clemson (2023), Virginia (2023), Pittsburgh (2023)
